Protocol: Rain

Protocol: Rain was produced by Quad as an entirely original anime, not based on any manga or novel.

The creative team, known as Team KITSUNE and led by author Tetsuya Sano, wanted to depict the intensity and realities of the e-sports scene while focusing on coming-of-age themes.

Writer Katsuhiro Takayama and director Yasutaka Yamamoto crafted the story to resonate both with gaming fans and viewers who love emotional youth dramas.

The story takes place in the real-life city of Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture, known for its mix of traditional and modern urban landscapes.

Central to the plot is the e-sports cafe “FOX ONE,” where the main characters gather, train, and bond.

Much of the drama unfolds around their participation in the "ZAXXERION Championship," a high-stakes tournament for a fictional, ultra-popular FPS game akin to real-world e-sports titles.

Shun Tokinoya, a reserved high school sophomore, once found solace in online gaming—then tragedy struck.

He lost his father in an accident that also left his younger sister, Mio Tokinoya, unable to walk.

While Shun worked part-time at FOX ONE and helped care for Mio, he quit gaming, blaming himself for his family's hardship.

Urged by childhood friends like Nozomi Inazuki—the supportive, big-sisterly daughter of FOX ONE's debt-ridden owner—and Akito Sendō, a loyal yet frequently tactless teammate, Shun re-enters the gaming world.

The group forms a new competitive squad, “Team FOX ONE,” aiming to win enough prize money to save the struggling esports cafe.

Their team grows with quirky recruits: Yū Saegusa, a popular actress living a double life as the masked “Phantom Ninja,” and Ryūsei Nagamine, a gaming genius with questionable fashion sense and a hilariously over-the-top username.

Each member deals with their own struggles: Mio's emotional dependence on Shun, Nozomi’s growing jealousy, Akito's chaotic relationships, and the constant stress of debt hanging over the cafe.

FOX ONE's rivals, including the intimidating strategist Mutsuki Naitō and former members like JONATHAN, push Shun’s team to their limits.

Along the way, they learn about trust, hard work, and self-acceptance as they fight for their future—not only in the game, but in life.

In the end, the team faces their toughest match yet, challenging their fears and coming together as true friends, both on and off the digital battlefield.

• FOX ONE: The e-sports cafe that serves as the team's HQ, run by Nozomi’s father, Sōta Inazuki.
• ZAXXERION: The fictional first-person shooter game at the center of the story's tournaments.
• Team FOX ONE: The main group of protagonists who come together to compete in professional gaming, each with unique handle names and roles in the squad.

A bi-weekly web radio show called "Momo Asakura's Protocol: Rain Radio" aired during the original broadcast, hosted by Mio’s voice actress, Momo Asakura.

Short voice dramas and mini anime skits were also released via official YouTube and social media channels, expanding on character backstories and daily life.

Blu-rays were released in two volumes in 2024, collecting all 12 episodes.

The project was spearheaded by producer Koichirō Natsume and directed by both Yasutaka Yamamoto (chief director) and Taishi Katō.

The collaboration featured a writing team led by Katsuhiro Takayama, with character designs by Hirona Hirayama based on original art by Boota.

Music production involved prominent composers Satoru Kōsaki, Oliver Good, and Keita Inoue, enriching the emotional tone of both the e-sports action and character drama.

The energetic opening "S9aiR" was performed by SennaRin, composed and arranged by Hiroyuki Sawano, with lyrics by Rin Akanezuku and cAnON.

The ending theme "Another Complex" was performed and written by somei, with arrangement by Takahiro Furukawa.

Protocol: Rain was recognized for realistically portraying both the pressures and camaraderie within the e-sports world, appealing to a broad audience beyond just gaming fans.

The show resonated with viewers through its empathetic depiction of personal struggles, teamwork, and youthful dreams.

It contributed to a wave of contemporary anime focusing on social and family issues through unique modern settings like e-sports.

• Real-life locations in Kawagoe were faithfully depicted, drawing visitors and local tourism buzz.
• The anime stood out in the NUMAnimation block for its original story and relevant social themes.
• The series was followed by radio events and remained a talking point in e-sports and anime communities.